Former MLB pitcher Anthony Varvaro who became a cop after retirement passed away on Sunday in a fatal car crash. He was 37 years old. Read on to know how did Anthony Varvaro die, what happened to him, and what was the cause of his death.
Varvaro was an officer for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He was a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for Seattle Mariners, Atlanta Braves, and Boston Red Sox from 2010 to 2015.
How did Anthony Varvaro die?
Anthony Varvaro died in a car crash on Sunday morning. The 37-year-old police officer was on his way to work at the September 11 Memorial Ceremony in Manhattan as per the police officials. However, his car crashed head-on with another vehicle that crossed lanes on Staten Island.
Varvaro was driving a Nissan Maxima when it collided with a Toyota Rav 4 at around 4:25 AM on the New Jersey Turnpike Hudson Bay Extension in Jersey City. The Rav 4 was driven by Henry Plazas, 30, of Bridgewater, New Jersey.
Both the men were pronounced dead at the site of the freak crash after sustaining fatal injuries.NJ State Police are investigating the car crash that killed Anthony Varvaro
The New Jersey State Police Department is investigating the car crash that killed Anthony Varvaro and the other man, Henry Plazas. Both vehicles were seen in horrible conditions as a result of the deadly collision.
The investigation continued till Sunday evening and will likely move on tomorrow in order to figure out the circumstances leading to the crash.
Anthony Varvaro was an MLB Pitcher Turned Police Officer
Anthony Varvaro was born in 1985 and raised in Staten Island, New York City. He studied criminal justice at St. John’s and graduated in 2005. He also played baseball at St. John’s University in NYC before a career in the majors as a relief pitcher.
Varvaro was drafted by Seattle Mariners in the 12th round in 2005. In 2010, he joined the Atlanta Braves, and then played for Boston Red Sox. He appeared in nine games for Boston in 2015. In May of the same year, the Chicago Clubs claimed him off waivers from Boston but returned him to the Red Sox after tests revealed he had an elbow injury in the right arm.
This turned out to be a career-ending injury for the pitcher as he retired in June 2016 after playing in 18 games for Boston’s top minor league affiliate. He started his police training post-retirement.
For career stats, Varvaro pitched 183 innings in 166 games with a 3.23 earned run average, 150 strikeouts, and one save.
In December 2016, Varvaro became a police officer and was assigned to patrol for around five years according to the Port Authority officials. He was later transferred to Port Authority Police Academy to become an instructor.
In 2019, Varvaro was inducted into the Staten Island Sports Hall of Fame.
Tributes coming in for Anthony Varvaro from the MLB
Ever since the sorrow-filled news of Anthony Varvaro’s demise emerged, tributes aren’t stopping for the late pitcher-turned-cop. His former MLB teams have also paid respect to the departed soul.
Fans have also joined the teams to pay respect. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends. May God let him rest in peace.
